Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have kept just three clean sheets in 16 matches this term and Lambert believes his lightning quick striker is back to his best.

He said: “The way he’s playing at this minute, he’s an absolute handful because his speed is incredible.

“I wouldn’t like to race him, that’s for sure. If he runs at people there are not many people who will catch him. He has the ability to scare people. Clubs will look at his speed and think ‘we need to watch it’.”

Agbonlahor has three England caps but Lambert said: “Gabby can still play international football because he’s only a young lad. You can hit your peak in your late 20s so his best years could be still to come.”